Formed in 2006, the young Minpins, from north Harrow, began as a five piece outfit called The Metros. After losing a band member and having to change their name, The Minpins now consist of Will Donaldson, 16, and Joe Donaldson, Jamie Howes, and Ian Smart, all 18. Having started out recording demos in the music suites in Pinner's Nower Hill High School sixth form block, The Minpins' public exposure has risen in the last six to eight months. "I've always loved music and I like to write about what's going on in the world, not really about how I feel. I want to write about stuff which affects loads of people," said lead singer and guitarist Joe. He said the group's sound is influenced by rock 'n' roll type tunes such as the early Kings of Leon songs and particular favourite, Radiohead. Joe goes on to reveal: "We aimed to write music which lots of people would like and we made pop music at first, but this developed into indie rock songs. You've got to stay true to yourself." Although unsigned at the moment, the quintet was offered an opportunity to record a single with the Universal Studios label but turned it down. Joe explained: "We wanted to see what university had to offer first.The band is still settling down and we meet up regularly and try and get gigs." With their feet firmly on the ground, The Minpins are still based in the capital with Joe studying music at Goldsmiths University in London,and younger brother Will currently in his first year of A-levels. The Minpins have previously played at the British Library in mid-September and BarFly in Camden, along with starring on a radio show on Life FM. As for their rock 'n' roll image, Joe confesses to "wearing a lot of black, but other members are more colourful" and claims the key to their successful image is, "to look cool, collected and to make it look easy." Though he enjoys playing to a big crowd, he states overall "the whole point of being in a band is having a good time."